BOLTON'S Trading Standards officers are increasing their vigilance over lethal "rogue" fireworks in the wake of the death of a Burnley teenager when one exploded in his face.

Paul Ridge, 18, was found dead on wasteland in Burnley this week. It is believed he lit a large firework intended only for professionals displays and, when it failed to go off, he went to examine it and it exploded.

The teenager died instantly of head injuries.

Police and Trading Standards officers in Lancashire believe the firework was a rogue Chinese Rocket not intended for public use, adding that they may be finding their way into the region through illegimate sources.

Police and Trading Standards officers believe the lethal fireworks are more likely to be sold from the back of a van rather than through a registered retailer.

Mr Ridge's death is the latest in a number of incidents involving highly explosive fireworks in Burnley which began at the weekend.

Daryl Wilson, a Trading Standards officer in Bolton, said it was more than possible that if dangerous fireworks were on the streets of Burnley they could have filtered through to the Bolton area.

Safety experts put fireworks into one of four categories -- category one are for indoor use, two and three are for sale to the public and four are the professional fireworks like the one that killed Mr Ridge.

"We had a number of incidents last year with children getting hold of category four fireworks," said Mr Wilson. "These were bangers but it is possible that these other types of fireworks could be in Bolton.

"They will not be sold in any shops in Bolton so if they are around they will be coming from an unregistered source."

He added: "We will be increasing our vigilance over such fireworks and we will be liasing with out colleagues in Lancashire to establish the source of these explosives."

Trading Standards officers have already flagged up the firework safety message in Bolton.

They are urging the public only to buy fireworks from shops and only buy those that have "British Standards 7114" stamped on them.

Professional display fireworks will have "not for use by the public" stamped on them.

If you have any queries about fireworks you can contact Bolton Trading Standards on 01204 336500.